NEW DELHI: Malayalam cinema’s beloved icon, Mammootty, officially received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, which was announced on the occasion of Republic Day. At a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the honor upon the veteran actor.
Alongside him, Padma Vibhushan recipients from Kerala, Justice K.T. Thomas and P. Narayanan, also received their honors. SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan and renowned playback singer Alka Yagnik were also among the dignitaries presented with the Padma Bhushan by the President.
A Proud Moment for Family and Friends
Mammootty had arrived in Delhi a day prior to the ceremony, accompanied by his family. A heartwarming highlight of the event was his son, actor Dulquer Salmaan, proudly applauding from the audience as his father walked up to receive the honor.
Before stepping up to the podium, Mammootty warmly greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The ceremony was also attended by Mammootty’s long-time associate and producer S. George, as well as producer Anto Joseph.
28 Years After the Padma Shri: A Stellar Legacy
The nation previously honored Mammootty with the Padma Shri in 1998. The Padma Bhushan comes 28 years after his first national civilian honor. Coincidentally, the announcement of this award came on the exact same day he received the State Film Award for Best Actor last year, making the milestone even more special.
With an illustrious career spanning decades, Mammootty is a three-time recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actor and has won 10 State Film Awards, including seven for Best Actor. Beyond Malayalam cinema, he has made his mark across Indian cinema with memorable performances in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. Even today, the legendary actor continues to captivate audiences by experimenting with new-age cinema and delivering extraordinary performances.
